Kai Zhang1, Chang Jia1, Qilin Yu1, Chenpeng Xiao1, Yijie Dong1,2, Meng Zhang1, Dan Zhang1, Qiang Zhao3, Biao Zhang4, Mingchun Li1. 1. Department of Microbiology, Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology & Technology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin 300071, China. 2. The State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Disease & Insect Pests, Institute of Plant protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100871, China. 3. Department of Zoology & Developmental Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China. 4. College of Language & Culture, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 300193, China.
Abstract
AIM: V-ATPase is a conservative multi-subunit enzyme in eukaryotes and modulates several cellular responses. This study aimed to illustrate the roles of Vma5 in vacuolar function, oxidative stress response, calcium homeostasis, autophagy and virulence. MATERIALS & METHODS: The vma5Δ/Δ mutant was obtained using PCR-mediated homologous recombination. The functions of Vma5 were investigated by a series of biochemical and systemic infection methods. RESULTS: Disruption of VMA5 led to growth inhibition, vacuolar dysfunction, disturbance of calcium homeostasis and inhibition of calcium-related oxidative stress response. Furthermore, its deletion caused defects in autophagy completion and hyphal development, and resulted in attenuated Candida albicans virulence. CONCLUSION: Our findings provide new insights into V-ATPase functions in C. albicans, and reveal a potential candidate for development of antifungal drugs.
AIM: V-ATPase is a conservative multi-subunit enzyme in eukaryotes and modulates several cellular responses. This study aimed to illustrate the roles of Vma5 in vacuolar function, oxidative stress response, calcium homeostasis, autophagy and virulence. MATERIALS & METHODS: The vma5Δ/Δ mutant was obtained using PCR-mediated homologous recombination. The functions of Vma5 were investigated by a series of biochemical and systemic infection methods. RESULTS: Disruption of VMA5 led to growth inhibition, vacuolar dysfunction, disturbance of calcium homeostasis and inhibition of calcium-related oxidative stress response. Furthermore, its deletion caused defects in autophagy completion and hyphal development, and resulted in attenuated Candida albicans virulence. CONCLUSION: Our findings provide new insights into V-ATPase functions in C. albicans, and reveal a potential candidate for development of antifungal drugs.